Chapter 131

Elena's POV

"Cinda," I said, softening my tone, "this started because of me, but if I don't stop it, I'm basically handing Richard over to danger myself."

Cinda closed her eyes, tears sliding down her cheeks. "What do you plan to do?" she asked finally, her voice barely audible.

"Before coming here, I called her. Gave her a chance to admit it," I explained, pacing the room. "She denied everything."

Cinda's eyes flew open, panic evident. "What about Richard and Gerald? Do they know?"

"They're already investigating. They know I wrote that book, and Victoria is under their control now." The words hung heavily in the air between us.

Cinda slumped into a nearby chair, her breathing shallow. "What are you going to do? Send her away? Lock her up somewhere?"

I stopped pacing and faced her directly. "Take her for surgery to make her lose this part of her memory."

"You're insane!" Cinda sprang to her feet, eyes wild with fear. "If you make her lose her memory, she'll forget all of us!"

"Yes," I acknowledged calmly. "But at least she'll keep her life. You know what happens to people the Blackwoods take away."

The room fell silent except for Cinda's ragged breathing. I could almost see the thoughts racing through her mind—weighing the loss of memories against the loss of life. I understood her anguish. Losing memories could be rebuilt; death offered no second chances.

Finally, she looked up at me, defeat written across her face. "Go. After Christmas, I'll send her to you."

Elena's POV

The moment I closed the car door, tears I'd been holding back streamed down my face like broken pearls. I gripped the steering wheel until my knuckles turned white, trying to steady my shaking hands.

"I'm sorry, Mason. I'm sorry, Cinda," I whispered into the empty car.

I couldn't stand by and watch Mandy's actions put Richard in danger. I wouldn't allow it. Not when I was the root cause.

I sat there for what felt like an eternity, letting the tears flow until they gradually subsided. Finally, I wiped my face and started the engine. I had one more stop to make.

I needed to see Emma. I had questions that needed answers. What was her relationship with Richard? How had she treated Richard's condition years ago?

I pulled out my phone and brought up the navigation to Wells Manor. Just as I was about to set off, my phone rang. Anna's name flashed on the screen.

"Ms. Winter," Anna's voice sounded tense, "the children have just been brought back. Lily isn't feeling well. They said she caught a cold last night."

My heart stopped. "What? Lily is sick?"

"Yes, she seems quite unwell."

Without another thought, I changed course. "I'm coming right now." I ended the call and immediately turned the car toward Highland Estate, my foot heavy on the accelerator.

Richard's POV

I was reviewing acquisition proposals when Felix called.

"Alpha, Ms. Winter is heading back to Highland Estate," he reported.

"What did you observe?" I asked, setting aside the documents.

"She didn't stay long. After she came out, she remained in her car for quite some time before driving away."

My eyes narrowed, a cold sensation spreading through my body. My instincts told me something significant had happened. Elena wasn't one to sit idle.

"Keep surveillance on that house for the next few days," I ordered. "Report any unusual activity, especially regarding Mandy."

"Yes, Alpha."

I hung up, tapping my fingers on the desk. Elena had figured out who betrayed her.

Elena's POV

I raced back to Highland Estate, my mind filled with worst-case scenarios. My children rarely got sick—especially Lily, who was usually the most energetic of the three.

When I burst through the door, Anna was waiting with Lily in her arms. One look at my daughter made my heart clench. Her face was frighteningly pale, her usually bright eyes dull with fever.

"Baby!" I immediately took her from Anna, cradling her against my chest. I was so focused on my child that I barely registered Gerald standing nearby.

Lily looked nothing like her normal self. My vivacious little girl, always bouncing around with endless energy, now lay limp in my arms, barely able to lift her head.

"Mommy..." she whispered, her voice so weak it was barely audible.

"I'm here, sweetheart. Mommy's here now," I soothed, pressing my lips to her forehead. Her temperature was a bit high.

Max and Kathy stood nearby, their faces etched with worry.

"Mommy, we're sorry," Max said, his lower lip trembling.

Kathy nodded, unusually subdued. "It's our fault."

"How could this possibly be your fault?" I reassured them, adjusting Lily in my arms. "Don't worry, she'll be fine."

"Mommy," Kathy said hesitantly, "Lily started feeling bad at Uncle Howard's house."

Only then did I notice Gerald, who had been standing silently to the side. Our eyes met briefly before I looked away.

"Yesterday after they visited the old mansion, everyone in the family was excited to see them," Gerald explained. "Given their relationships within the pack, I thought Howard's place would be appropriate for their first visit."

He cleared his throat. "The pack doctor examined her and said it was just a cold."

I simply nodded, too concerned about Lily to engage in conversation. Without another word, I carried my daughter upstairs to my bedroom.

"Max, bring my treatment kit from my room," I instructed. "Kathy, please get some ice packs."

Both children hurried to help while I laid Lily on my bed.

"Don't be scared, baby," I whispered, stroking her hair. "Mommy's here now. I'll make you feel better very soon."

Lily whimpered softly in response, curling into a ball on the bed. My normally energetic daughter looked like a sick kitten, small and vulnerable.

When the children returned with what I'd requested, I gently placed the ice pack on Lily's forehead. Then I put my hand on Lily's chest and closed my eyes, sensing her life energy.

This wasn't a cold. Her digestive system showed clear signs of damage, consistent with harmful substances in food. Someone had either deliberately or carelessly allowed my daughter to consume food that caused an adverse reaction in her body.

I placed both hands over Lily's abdomen, allowing healing energy to flow from my palms into her small body. Immediately, color began returning to her cheeks.

"Mommy," Lily murmured after a few minutes, her eyes a little brighter, "I'm hungry."

Relief washed over me. "I'll make you some nutritious soup, sweetie. Would you like that?"

She nodded, the ghost of her usual smile appearing.